Rough rides rule at Sheriff’s Rodeo

Where events are measured in seconds, they can seem like an eternity when wrestling a full-grown steer, trying to hang on to the bare back of a bad-tempered bronc or riding a Brahma bull — a raging hulk weighing well over a half-ton that was never intended to carry a passenger.

But cowboys are a little crazy, and the proof will be on full display when the 2013 Maury County Sheriff’s Rodeo raises dust Friday and Saturday in the Maury County Park Arena.

All proceeds from the popular annual fundraiser support the Maury County Association of School Resource Officers and the Maury County Reserve Officers Association. In years past, these agencies have provided holiday meals, warm clothing, Christmas gifts and other welcome goods and service to local needy families.

Both non-profits stage the rodeo with the support of Maury County Sheriff Enoch George and some of his employees.

As best he can remember, George said, the rodeo started in 2002 and he has been its biggest fan every year since.

“It brings me back to when I was a teenager,” George explained. “I broke horses and mules to ride and did a lot of country-boy rodeoing, but nothing professional like this.

“It’s in my blood. I love it and the people who participate in it,” he added.

The first 100 children age 11 or younger who walk through the gate on each of the two nights will receive a free cowboy hat, which they can wear on a free pony ride — though the hat is not a requirement. A free petting zoo will also open at 8 p.m. each night, and a free pony will be given away both nights.

Advance tickets are $10 for adults and may be purchased at Maury Farmers Co-op, Columbia Farm Supply, Campbell’s Station Store and the Maury County Park office. Adult admission at the gate is $15. Children age 11 and younger are admitted free.

Gates open at 6 p.m., with events starting at 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. In case of rain, events will be rescheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday.

Rules for posting comments

Comments posted below are from readers. In no way do they represent the view of Stephens Media LLC or this newspaper. This is a public forum.

Comments may be monitored for inappropriate content but the newspaper is under no obligation to do so. Comment posters are solely responsible under the Communications Decency Act for comments posted on this Web site. Stephens Media LLC is not liable for messages from third parties.

IP and email addresses of persons who post are not treated as confidential records and will be disclosed in response to valid legal process.

Do not post:

Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.

Obscene, explicit, or racist language.

Copyrighted materials of any sort without the express permission of the copyright holder.

Personal attacks, insults or threats.

The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.

Comments unrelated to the story.

If you believe that a commenter has not followed these guidelines, please click the FLAG icon below the comment.